Published at Friday, April 13th, 2018 - 17:46:17 PM. Hockey Gear and Equipment. By Avdotya Klara.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you find it hard to drag yourself into the rink and onto the ice for practice how can you expect your players to be engaged and motivated? We have a few tricks to keep everyone excited about practice. Sometimes we'll pump music over the PA system to get players moving. Or we'll start practice with a small area game to get the competitive juices flowing.

You can practice your backhander just like you would the wrist shot. Line up near the boards with some pucks. Pick out spots on the boards (one low and one high) and practice hitting the target. Remember to concentrate on your weight transfer and follow through. It′s also good to set up cones near the bottom of the face-off circle and cut around the cones working on both your forehand and backhand as you get your shot on net.

Players must learn to protect themselves especially along the boards. When going into the corner use some fakes with your body stick or skates to avoid being a stationary target. Keep your skates parallel to the boards rather than pointing toward the boards. As soon as you pick up the puck move out of the area quickly. If you can′t avoid being checked position yourself to accept the blow. If you are checked from the side keep your head up get a good stable position feet apart knees bent body in a low position forearms and hands on the boards.